The expansion work on the Cox's Bazar Marine Drive will now be carried out without cutting down a single tree as per directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said his ministry is implementing the Prime Minister's directives, taking into account the issue of preserving the balance of the environment.

He said this initiative is expected to save nearly 3,000 trees and set a new benchmark for environmentally responsible infrastructure development.

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The directive followed reports suggesting that around 3,000 trees might need to be felled for the widening of the scenic coastal road.

Taking the matter seriously, the Prime Minister instructed the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry to review the project and ensure that the expansion could be completed while preserving all existing trees.

Following his instruction, the ministry revised its initial plan and has already begun implementing the project without removing any trees.

Ministry officials stated that the Prime Minister's decision reflects his commitment to striking a balance between development and environmental protection.

On April 21, Minister Rabiul Islam, Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, and State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid Habib visited the project site to oversee the revised plan.

Senior officials and project engineers were also present during the inspection.

The project involves upgrading the nearly 80-kilometre road from Kolatoli to Sabrang Zero Point in Teknaf into a four-lane highway.

Earlier, planners assumed that widening the road would require the removal of a large number of roadside trees.

However, the Prime Minister's intervention led to a redesign aimed at protecting the area's natural beauty and ecological balance.

Rabiul Alam said the initiative goes beyond preserving existing trees.

“The initiative has been taken not only to preserve existing trees, but also to plant new beautifying trees on both sides of the road to make the entire Marine Drive more attractive, environment-friendly and tourist-friendly," he said.

Officials said the project is being implemented under the supervision of the Bangladesh Army's 16th and 17th Engineering Construction Battalions.

It includes road widening, construction of a 305-metre two-lane bridge over Rezu Canal, RCC retaining walls, installation of concrete blocks and relocation of utility lines.

The work is scheduled to be completed by the current year.

Project insiders said the Prime Minister's decision would serve as a shining example of how infrastructure development and environmental conservation can go hand in hand.